That's Not Rubbish! Upcycled and Circular Fashion.

We’re going behind the scenes and to the dinner table with Melanie Wong. Founder of Meadow Land, Craigslist connoisseur, and costume designer for a traveling Stars Wars burlesque show - Mel has quite the resume. Add luxury brand designer and design student into the mix! When she’s not designing for others, Mel designs for the inner child. Taking preloved, intricately detailed tablecloths and transforming them into ethereal slips, camis, and more. This week, we’re digging deeper into Mel’s experience in both the luxury fashion and costume design worlds, use of tableware to upcycle, and exposing waste management strategies. Fashion students, theater kids, and Craigslist lovers - this one’s for you. 

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Meet Southern Florida's upcycled bong queen. Inspired by the lack of femininity in your standard smoke shop (let's be real, 90% of pipes are Rick and Morty themed), Karin Flory of Flora Flora Waterpipes decided to transform vintage vases into bongs. There's no greater moment than when a one-of-a-kind bong finds its dream stoner owner, says Karin. Let's dig deeper into Flory Flora's mission, talk women in the cannabis industry, and challenge our expertise with a little 4/20 trivia.

Earth Day and 4/20 are right around the corner, let's celebrate.

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It's Global Recycling Day, so we're getting together with not one but two upcyclers and tackling the topic of talking sustainability with our friends. While we may love them, we all have a friend or so whose shopping habits make us cringeee. Thus, we're welcoming back Julia George of Something Made Customs to catch up on her fashion show experiences with newbie Marjurie Igarta AKA @MarjurieMadeThis. Let's talk fashion shows, patchwork, and introducing friends to the world of sustainable fashion with compassion and thrift trips with our favorite scrappy gals.

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Meet Reverend Sophie. Aka Sophie Woods - co-director of Bleaq, mother to the tampon chaps, tie reworker, and self-proclaimed chazza shopper (what is a chazza??). Let’s hangout with this UK-based designer and talk about the value of shock value and the horrors of greenwashing. But… with a TNR! twist. We’re going to do a little dating. Isn’t greenwashing kind of like love bombing anyways? We’ll leave it to the Reverend to preach.

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We’re back with another season of That’s Not Rubbish! And what better place to start than in good ole’ Canada? We’re kicking off this new roster of zero waste designers by exploring the art of tote bags with the king of totes himself, James Hogan of Victory Lap Sewing. But, these aren’t your average totes. Transformed out of random finds - from life vests to boy scout uniforms - Victory Lap totes are full of personality, equipped with various features, and made with the utmost craftsmanship.

Not to mention… tote bags are crucial. They hold our things so we don’t have to. They join us on beach trips, to the grocery store, and back. They’re our best friends, our right-hand mans, our ride or dies. Oh the places we take our tote bags. So, let’s hear about James’s unique sourcing and creation process, inspiration, and roots - you’re toteally not going to want to miss this.

Happy Holidays from TNR! and Phil Märtens, also known as Taktonik. A Germany-based upcycler transforming all things military waste - from uniforms to parachutes - into high-quality, themed bags, stories, and more. Taktonik puts the storytelling in upcycling by curating movie, color, or time era themed experiences through his pieces. Meanwhile, combating military waste. Never even considered what military waste is? Where it goes? Learn more about Taktonik’s background and unique sourcing process… but better yet, learn everything you need to know about our beloved camo.

And that's a wrap on season 01 of That's Not Rubbish! Will be back in February with a whole new roster of brilliant zero waste designers to share with you all. Until then! Cheers.

Welcome to Vintage Wasteland. Home of the suede, no-sew upcycles, ducks, and queer cowboys. Our upcycler of the week, Alex Kelley, has honed in on illustrating and stamping tattoo-esque charactures of nature and folklore onto thrifted pieces. Let’s talk about our favorite materials to work with and wear, the history of trends, and shall we go as far as make some winter trend predictions?? Yeehaw!

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Your best friend who’s never heard of upcycling. Your grandma that loves to sew. Your mom. Your pet fish. We’ve all had an After Always thrift flip pop up on our Tiktok feed. Meet Zach Thoeny, the magic behind After Always - an upcycler who has gone viral for transforming blankets and towels into everyday statement pieces or sets. Here’s a chance for Zach to say what he doesn’t get to say in a 30 second Tiktok - from conquering the algorithm, to personal style, to an upcoming upcycled wedding?? Listen up. 

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Welcome to the world of Janelle Abbott, also known as JRAT. A complete zero waste enigma and maximalist dream. While her artistic, intricate pieces dance, move, and radiate the energy and creativity behind the scenes, we don’t know much about JRAT herself. For all we know, she could be a unicorn with a sewing machine. Let’s uncover the inspiration, story, and process underneath JRAT’s works of art to confirm she isn’t a bot, shall we?

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If you're in the secondhand scene of Boston, you know MICH. A flea market regular with stickers scattered all over New England, MICH is a zero waste designer that offers a little bit of everything - from tapestry blanket crewnecks to sleeping bag puffer vests. There's a MICH piece for everybody. Not to mention, with roots in Salem. And it's October...Let's delve into the mysterious history of the Salem witch trials, what modern day witchcraft looks like, and the intersection of aesthetics within both MICH and Boston's fashion scene. From Harvard to Hogwarts, this one's for you.

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It’s October. Sweaters or sweats? Wait, what are you being for Halloween? Thanks to Julia George, the founder of Something Made Custom, we can have it all. We’ve talked towel shorts, reworked denim, and this episode we’re drooling over another upcycle trend: Patchwork sweat sets. Like Julia, we’ve seen a movement of upcyclers collaging knits, sweats, and themed tshirts. Funny enough, our patchwork set scouts love Halloween - Julia alone has Chucky, The Exorcist, and Goosebumps themed sets. So, who better than a self-proclaimed Halloween geek and zero waste fashionista to talk easy and ethical Halloween costumes with? We've got you covered. Plus, Julia may or may not have spilled on her experience as a designer at NYFW… This one’s a must listen! 

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Once Upon A Time…there was a podcaster, a storybook upcycler, and a quest to spell the word “definitely.”

As students and teachers are officially Back 2 School, I’m taking the ultimate teacher’s pet, stationery princess, AND founder of Upcycler Enchantments, Jess Fernandez back to the classroom for a Spelling Bee. 🐝✏️ Meanwhile, uncovering the story behind Jess’ revamped stationery and reminiscing over all things back to school shopping, Scholastic book fairs, and extracurriculars. Which book cover design was your go-to? Lisa Frank or 5 Star? Cue the That’s Not Rubbish! back to school commercial! 👩🏽‍🏫🎙️

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Newsflash: we're bringing bonnets back! As summer is wrapping up, we need to soak up the sun and prepare for the fall. So, I teamed up with the epitome of summer and cottage core herself, Erin McComb, to celebrate the highs and lows of summer 2k23 and highlight some summer to fall transitional styles. Trust me, you wouldn't want to go fruit picking in anyone else. 🍓

Along the way, we learned the unique roots behind Erin's historical silhouettes, dainty florals, towel shorts, and quilted bonnets. We're talking cottage core, grandpa core...colonial core?

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About 6,200 weddings occur every day in the United States alone. And in the UK, over 275,000 a year. But, what exactly happens to the wedding dress after the big day? And what would a wedding between Dolly Parton and Cyndi Lauper look like? This episode, we invite the vibrant and 90's inspired UK-based upcycler and weaver, Ashley Jess Knight, to blow our minds by explaining how she saves bridal waste by shrinking these big, extravagant dresses into thread to weave waistcoats/vests, bows, and wall art. 💒👰🏼‍♀️

Announcement: The That's Not Rubbish! podcast will be scaling back to every OTHER Monday as we build up on some exciting projects that will make upcycled fashion accessible once and for all. Through rich or poor. Stay tuned? "I do."

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I’m back in my hometown of Detroit and for our first in person episode, I’m stepping into the studio of Raya Sacco, founder of RAYA (@therayabrand), for a little retail therapy. This sunlit and plant-filled studio is the home of the Vendetta Top and T-Skirt.🪴

But, what makes a studio a studio? And an upscale brand an upscale brand? This episode, we’re going heart to heart with Raya to uncover the secrets behind curating the perfect space, upscale secondhand brand, and a closet packed with longevity, intimacy, and luxury. Look good, feel better, and listen to Raya’s zen voice talk about reworked leather and Feng Shui.🎧🪞

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With our first male guest, I couldn't take up the chance to pick the brains of 18 year old rework designer, Anthony, founder of Wäne Forever on all things mens fashion today. Learn more about Anthony's brand, his stunning use of videography and creative direction to speak to his generation, and how his generation is dressing.🎧🙋🏾

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Rumor has it Shein is gearing up with a potential new tactic to clean up their dirty business practices: a collaboration with upcycle designers. I know what you're thinking because I thought it too: How does that work? In the midst of their horrid yet hilarious PR stunt? The copyright infringement lawsuit? We're going to have Alexandria Carroll, the founder of festival-wear brand Modern Alien 🛸 and EvoluSHEIN♻️ upcycler spill the details. After we rave over reworked festival-wear, of course. How can a relationship between slow and fast fashion exist? Are we going to wake up one day to Shein becoming the biggest platform for upcycled designers? So many questions! Grab a snack and a glow stick, this is a must-listen.

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Too look cute and cozy - That's all we really want! 👟🎀 And would wearing sustainable materials be too hard to ask? Not for Danasia Griner, the femme magic behind Reworked4Women. This week, we're digging into fast fashion dupes such as R4W's signature maxi denim skirt (with a slit of course), the Barbie movie archived press looks, some quick denim hacks, and all things women streetwear' - because this week is for the GIRLS!💅🏾

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This week on That's Not Rubbish!, we're taking a trip down memory lane with Laura (aka citygirlbeachbum). 👾 We're reminiscing over 90's culture before uncovering the roots behind this playful brand and why vintage sheets are truly the perfect preloved fabric to work with.🪡✨ Calling all prospective upcyclers! Gain some quick insight on the art of starting your own brand, from sourcing preloved materials to sewing do's and don'ts and everything in between.

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Happy Upcycle Day! and Happy First Episode of That's Not Rubbish!❤️🪡 In our first episode, we'll take a deep dive into the world of upcycling - from its not-so mysterious origins to its role in pop culture today. From the runway to the wizard world, join us as we explore some iconic pop culture looks that (we think) should have been upcycled, and discover the ways in which circular fashion participants are changing the way we think about fashion and sustainability. Whether you're a big time circular fashion enthusiast or don't even know what it is, this podcast is a must-listen. 🎧

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